Every single year, I anxiously await the unveiling of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. For as long as I can remember, I stare at the catalog and dream of being able to “win” each out-of-this world package that the store has put together. Some years have wowed me more than others, and while the overall offerings this year are not my favorite to date, I would be totally smitten with the Dream Folly Fantasy Gift.

Blame it on the extravagant engagement party we witnessed for Pandora on this week’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but who doesn’t want an 18-foot-diameter yurt filled with the most luxurious and inviting linens?

To me, the combination of Marc by Marc Jacobs and the brights trend always seemed like a complete no-brainer. In fact, I expected to see an MbMJ collection chock full of neon a full year ago, when the look was just getting started. It’s the kind of thing that appeals so obviously to the Marc demographic that the marrying of the two was only a matter of time.

Surprisingly, though, it took a tad more time than I expected. MbMJ has dabbled in brights here and there in the past few seasons, but the Marc by Marc Jacobs Bob’s Memphis Trip Colorblock Top Handle and the Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Python-Embossed Messenger are the two biggest, boldest examples of colorblocking and neon that I’ve seen from the brand. It’s about time.

Image via Louis Vuitton

When you’re a brand with as giant a product line as Louis Vuitton‘s, designing a website can understandably be a bit difficult. Showing dozens upon dozens of bags, most of which come in multiple materials and sizes, without showing too much to potential counterfeiters is tricky at best, not to mention incorporating all the other multimedia content that it now takes to paint a cogent picture of a modern luxury brand. I wouldn’t want to be the person tasked with figuring out a usable way to do all of that.

Vuitton found someone who was up to the task, though, and the results of the LouisVuitton.com redesign are mostly solid. At the very least, if you were hoping for easier organization of product pages and larger images, the new site gives you exactly that. It isn’t without its problems, though, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

All images via Vogue.com

Even with the rapidly changing landscape of fashion criticism and American Vogue‘s relative conservatism compared to its European counterparts, the magazine and its website are still first and foremost among the industry’s most important publications. When Vogue says that something’s important, designers, buyers and consumers pay attention, and Vogue.com recently posted its picks\ for the season’s key accessories trends.

If you followed along with our Fashion Week coverage, you probably noticed some of these things too – Vogue‘s calling them Modern Embellishment, Transparency, Athleticism, Ladylike Pastels and The Skin of the Season. We’ve got their picks for which of Spring 2012′s bags best illustrate those trends after the jump, and we’d like you to let us know if there’s any look that you’re particularly impatient to get your hands on in the comments. Pay particular attention to the bags that could fit easily into more than one of these categories – those are the styles to watch come spring.

Dead guy on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I repeat: DEAD GUY ON REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS. I’m still a tad surprised that Bravo didn’t edit Russell out of this season completely, but there he was last night. Walking, talking, coldly undermining his wife. He was the Russell that we all remember.

Thankfully, Lisa and that old rich dude threw a party grand enough to distract from the awkwardness of Russell’s appearance, complete with camels and a flopping poolside mermaid and gifts of jewelry valued in the mid-five-figures. If you ever wanted an hour of television to leave you feeling poor and confused, last night was your night.

This is my favorite phase of our exclusive bag design collaboration with Rebecca Minkoff thus far, because in Phase III we get to see the brand new bag designs Rebecca and her team have developed! We have five options to choose from, and we took every single one of your votes into account to create what we think will be the ideal Rebecca Minkoff bag for her PurseForum Minkettes fanbase.

Time is running out to put your vote in before we move to the next and final stage! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity and give us your vote!

Cast your vote in Phase III now!!

Dolce & Gabbana Jewel and Pearl Embellished Clutch, $6895 via Net-a-Porter

The most important thing to note about the Dolce & Gabbana Jewel and Pearl Embellished Bag, right up front, is that it’s a full foot wide. I’m going to allow you to adjust to that information for a moment, perhaps measure an air-foot out with your hands to get an idea of the scale that we’re talking about here.

Ok, are we good now? Great.